The 29-year-old, who is missing from Laurent Blanc’s squad after breaking his leg playing for his club, lined up for Les Bleus at Wembley in a friendly in November 2010, and said that the competitive atmosphere in clashes between the two countries is similar to that of a meeting between two local rivals.

"It is like a derby. Every time France play England it is massive. No one wants to lose," he told Arsenal's official website.

The 29-year-old admits despite France's victory in the last encounter between the team, playing in a tournament is a different matter and believes England have come a long way since losing the Wembley friendly.

"We beat them at Wembley, but this game will be totally different," he added.